The Lakers have had a bad record in the last two years. Although they have formed a huge “360” connection (referring to the back numbers of Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Russell Westbrook), there is no way for the three an ace player of this age with excellent achievements to combine. Turn benefits into real results, even if David Ham is replaced as head coach this season, the Lakers are still some distance away from the challenge of the second games opportunity
please read on
Because of the salary cap space, the Lakers must put their remaining resources on the draft and two-way, non-guaranteed base salary players to mine treasures. We know that the Lakers found Austin Reaves, a fast growing guard, in last year’s draft. We also know that the Lakers found Stanley Johnson, a once projected lottery player , and then played well in the Lakers system The Ronin player nicknamed “Archangel” by Taiwanese fans has become an important rotation for the Lakers inside.He is Wenyen Gabriel from South Sudan.
Gabriel was the undrafted pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. He primarily played as a center forward. He was a five-star high school student in high school.He was ranked 14th in ESPN’s Top 100 Rookie Echelon in 2016, and played in the Jordan Brand Classic (JBC, Jordan Brand Classic, is an exchange game for young players with potential in the United States and around the world)it can be seen that his potential and talent are quite optimistic.
With a height of 6 feet 9 and a wingspan of 7 feet 1, Gabriel entered the 2018 NBA draft after two years at the University of Kentucky (also AD’s alma mater), but was not selected by any team. In the same year, Gabriel represented the Kings in the Summer League and signed a two-way contract with the Kings in the summer, but did not represent the Kings in any game at the NBA level.
please read on
After that, Garbiel lost his glory as a five-star high school student like an angel with broken wings, and continued to wander in different teams. In less than three seasons, Gabriel has represented the Trail Blazers, Kings, Pelicans, Nets, and Clippers. Looking at his stats, it’s not hard to imagine why other teams won’t keep him in the team for a long time: rough ball skills, easy to foul(In the 19-20 season, he averaged 7.8 minutes per game and swallowed 1.3 fouls, and in the 20-21 season, he averaged 11.5 minutes per game and swallowed 1.5 fouls)and so Gabriel could not become a stable rotational force, and soon became a Ronin player.
Then Gabriel came to the City of Angels and found his property.
After the “360 Connection” was formed last season, the Lakers recruited many experienced veterans and former Lakers players to join, such as Dwight Howard, “Melo” Carmelo Anthony, DeAndre Jordan, Trevor Ariza and others who is now playing in Taiwan, but clearly Injuries and age have dragged down this Lakers team, together with the continuous injuries of Davis and James, and the poor running in of the “360” connection, the Lakers gradually withdrew from the competition in the middle of the season. just look to the future and look for ways to dig up treasures from young, rogue players, and Gabriel is one of those men.
please read on
Gabriel, who signed a two-way contract with the Lakers on 2/28 US time, brought much-needed energy to the team.During the entire season, 19 games (including five starts) can be replaced by 14.4 points and 9.8 rebounds in 36 minutes.Lakers head coach Frank Vogel mentioned in an interview at the time,
I love the energy Wenyen brings to the team. He plays hard, has a clean attitude, is big and athletic. We need that size and athleticism at the forward position. Although Wenyen is inexperienced due to being a young player, I love his energy.
more importantly,Gabriel has a career average of 33% from 3-point range, although the sample size is small (31-93), but Gabriel’s outside shooting can clearly be developed. Along with his wingspan and size, Gabriel can bring superior mobility and defensive energy to the team, so that he not only has the opportunity to play to grab points, but can also use his size advantage to play his ability defensive.
Before the end of last season, the Lakers broke up with former player Trevor Ariza (coincidentally, Ariza was once a bargaining chip with Gabriel and was traded to the Trail Blazers by the King), and the situation after allowing the team to sign a partially unavailable player. The guaranteed player, Gabriel is the one to fill the roster. Gabriel earned his spot in the lineup with his hard work and energy on both ends of the floor, along with his size.
When new Lakers head coach Ham took office, he chose to let different players in the same position compete for the opportunity to play. This season, we see Gabriel in Ham’s current head coach’s rotation lineup. He has clearly surpassed backup center Damian Jones to become Ham’s more trusted player. The only big man other than Davis to have constant minutes.
